Climate control device

ABSTRACT

Climate control devices and methods are disclosed. One climate control device includes a housing, an evaporative medium port, a liquid level sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a change in the level of liquid in the housing, calculate an efficiency of an evaporative medium received by the evaporative medium port based on the change in the level of liquid, and provide an evaporative medium efficiency indication when the efficiency of the evaporative medium falls below a predetermined value. Another climate control device includes a housing, an evaporative medium port, a pump, a first conduit, and a controller. The controller configured to determine an evaporation rate of an evaporative medium received by the evaporative medium port, and operate the pump to pump liquid through the first conduit to the evaporative medium port at varying liquid flow rates dependent on the evaporation rate of the evaporative medium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/416,336, filed on Jan. 26, 2017, entitled “IMPROVED CLIMATECONTROL DEVICE,” which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.62/288,119, entitled “CLIMATE CONTROL DEVICE WITH IMPROVED LIQUID LEVELSENSING,” filed Jan. 28, 2016, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to climate control devices, and moreparticularly to improving efficiency in climate control devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Climate control devices, such as evaporative coolers and humidifiers,may be used to cool or humidify air by causing the air to flow through adampened evaporative medium. The effectiveness of the climate controlmay depend in part on the ability of the device to manage theevaporation of liquid (e.g. water) into the air flowing through thedevice, and on the age of the evaporative medium. The user of theclimate control device may be relied on to maintain an adequate supplyof liquid, and to ensure that the evaporative medium is performingadequately. Accordingly, improvements in climate control devices aredesired that improve the efficiency of the device and simplify the tasksfor which the user is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to climate control devices andmethods.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a climatecontrol device is disclosed. The climate control device includes ahousing, an evaporative medium port in the housing, a liquid levelsensor, and a controller. The housing defines a receptacle for receivingliquid. The evaporative medium port is sized to receive an evaporativemedium. The liquid level sensor is configured to sense a level of liquidin the receptacle. The controller is electrically coupled with theliquid level sensor. The controller is configured to determine a changein the level of liquid in the receptacle, calculate an efficiency of theevaporative medium received by the evaporative medium port based on thechange in the level of liquid, and provide an evaporative mediumefficiency indication when the efficiency of the evaporative mediumfalls below a predetermined value.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a climatecontrol method is disclosed. The climate control method includesdetermining a change in a level of liquid in a receptacle of a climatecontrol device, calculating an efficiency of an evaporative medium ofthe climate control device based on the change in the level of liquid,and providing an evaporative medium efficiency indication when theefficiency of the evaporative medium falls below a predetermined value.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, anotherclimate control device is disclosed. The climate control device includesa housing, an evaporative medium port in the housing, a pump, a firstconduit, and a controller. The housing defines a receptacle forreceiving liquid. The evaporative medium port is sized to receive anevaporative medium. The pump is positioned at least partially within thereceptacle. The first conduit is connected between an outlet of the pumpand the evaporative medium port. The controller is electrically coupledwith the pump. The controller configured to determine an evaporationrate of the evaporative medium received by the evaporative medium port,and operate the pump to pump the liquid in the receptacle through thefirst conduit to the evaporative medium port at varying liquid flowrates dependent on the evaporation rate of the evaporative medium.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention,another climate control method is disclosed. The climate control methodincludes determining an evaporation rate of an evaporative medium in anevaporative medium port of a climate control device having a receptaclecontained within the climate control device, and operating a pump topump liquid in the receptacle of the climate control device to theevaporative medium at varying liquid flow rates dependent on theevaporation rate of the evaporative medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed descriptionwhen read in connection with the accompanying drawing. Included in thedrawing are the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an exemplary climatecontrol device in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a cut-away view of the climate controldevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an exploded view of an exemplary sensor ofthe climate control device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary liquid level sensing operation ofthe sensor of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a pump layout of an exemplary climatecontrol device in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary climate control method inaccordance with aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another exemplary climate control methodin accordance with aspects of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein withreference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to belimited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be madein the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claimsand without departing from the invention.

The invention is best understood from the following detailed descriptionwhen read in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, whichshow exemplary embodiments of the invention selected for illustrativepurposes. The invention will be described with reference to the figures.Such figures are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting andare included herewith to facilitate the explanation of the presentinvention.

As an overview, FIGS. 1-2B show an exemplary embodiment of a climatecontrol device 100 in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention. Climate control device 100 may be, for example, anevaporative cooler or a humidifier. Generally, climate control device100 includes a housing 110, an evaporative medium port 130, a liquidlevel sensor 140, a controller 170, and a pump 190. Additional detailsof climate control device 100 will be provided herein.

Housing 110 defines an interior region of climate control device 100.Housing 110 defines an air inlet 112 for permitting air flow into theinterior region of climate control device 100, and an air outlet 114 forpermitting air flow out of the interior region of climate control device100. During operation, climate control device 100 draws air in throughair inlet 112, cools and/or humidifies the air within the interiorregion of housing 110 (depending on the desired operation of climatecontrol device 100), and discharges air out through air outlet 114 intothe environment being climate controlled.

Climate control device 100 may further include a fan for generating airflow through housing 110. The fan is connected to a motor which isconfigured to operate the fan at one or more speeds for generating adesired air flow. Suitable fans for use in climate control device 100will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the descriptionherein, and may be selected, for example, based on a desired air flowthrough climate control device 100 or on an intended size of housing110.

Climate control device 100 utilizes liquid (e.g. water) duringoperation. Accordingly, housing 110 defines a receptacle 120 in theinterior region of climate control device 100 for receiving the liquid.Receptacle 120 may be defined in part by the inside surface of outerwalls of housing 110. Alternatively, housing 110 may include a separatestructure defining receptacle 120 such as, for example, a basin (notshown) positioned in the interior region of housing 110. In an exemplaryembodiment, receptacle 120 is formed in a bottom portion of housing 110,as illustrated in FIG. 2. In that exemplary embodiment, receptacle 120may extend up to the bottom edge of air outlet 114, so that water doesnot leak out of air outlet 114.

Housing 110 may further include a filling access port for allowing auser to provide liquid to the interior region of housing 110 for fillingreceptacle 120. A user of climate control device 100 may pour liquidthrough the filling access port. Alternatively, a user may place one ormore liquid containers within housing 110 by way of the filling accessport. Once received in housing 110, the liquid containers may beconfigured (e.g., through an actuatable valve) to release their liquidinto receptacle 120 in housing 110. Liquid received in receptacle 120may be used to cool and/or humidify the air flowing through climatecontrol device 100 by the process of evaporation. The evaporativecooling process of climate control device 100 will be described herein.

Housing 110 may be formed from a single integral piece of material, orfrom multiple pieces of material. Suitable materials for forming housing110 include, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene, polystyrene,polycarbonate, and other suitable polymers or plastics. Other suitablematerials for forming housing 110 will be known to one of ordinary skillin the art from the description herein. Housing 110 may be formed, forexample, by injection molding.

Climate control device 100 includes an evaporative medium port 130positioned within housing 110. Evaporative medium port 130 may bepositioned adjacent air inlet 112 or outlet 114, so that air entering orleaving the interior region of climate control device 100 passes throughevaporative medium received in port 130. Evaporative medium port 130 maybe positioned covering air inlet 112 or air outlet 114 in order to helpmaximize the amount of liquid on evaporative medium 130 that evaporatesinto the air.

Evaporative medium port 130 is sized to receive an evaporative medium.When received in port 130, the evaporative medium contacts or receivesthe liquid in receptacle 120, and provides a plurality of connectedsurfaces from which the liquid may evaporate into the air flowingthrough climate control device 100.

In one exemplary embodiment, the evaporative medium operates by wickingto draw liquid from receptacle 120 into evaporative medium 130 forevaporation during operation of climate control device 100. In analternative or additional exemplary embodiment, liquid in receptacle 120may be pumped over or onto evaporative medium 130. An exemplary climatecontrol device incorporating a pump 190 is described in greater detailbelow.

Levels of liquid received in receptacle 120 can change due to pumpingand/or evaporation from the evaporative medium. Climate control device100 includes a liquid level sensor 140 configured to sense the level ofliquid in receptacle 120.

In an exemplary embodiment, liquid level sensor 140 is an ultrasonicliquid level sensor. As shown in FIG. 2B, sensor 140 includes anultrasonic emitter 150 and an ultrasonic receiver 160. Ultrasonicemitter 150 is positioned to emit an ultrasonic wave toward a surface ofthe liquid received in receptacle 120. Ultrasonic receiver 160 ispositioned to receive at least a portion of the ultrasonic wave afterthe ultrasonic wave reflects off of the surface of the liquid receivedin receptacle 120. Suitable devices containing an ultrasonic emitter andultrasonic receiver usable in accordance with the present inventioninclude, for example, the HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor.

Ultrasonic emitter 150 may be positioned to emit the ultrasonic wave ina direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the liquidreceived in receptacle 120. As shown in FIG. 3, ultrasonic sensor 140may be positioned directly above receptacle 120, such that ultrasonicemitter 150 faces downward toward the surface of liquid received inreceptacle 120. The ultrasonic wave then reflects off the surface of theliquid back toward ultrasonic sensor 140, where it is received byultrasonic receiver 160.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, ultrasonic emitter 150 and ultrasonicreceiver 160 can both be accommodated within a single sensor housing142. Sensor housing 142 has an upper portion 144 and a lower portion146. Lower portion 146 may include one or more ports to enable theemission and receipt of ultrasonic waves into and/or out of housing 142.In an exemplary embodiment, sensor housing 142 is positioned in achamber 148 of housing 110 separate from receptacle 120. This separatechamber 148 may be desirable to minimize or eliminate the possibility ofdamage to ultrasonic sensor 140 by the liquid received in receptacle120. Alternatively, sensor housing 142 may be positioned in the samesection or chamber of housing 110 as receptacle 120.

Pump 190 is positioned at least partially within receptacle 120. Asshown in FIG. 4, pump 190 may be at least partially submerged whenliquid (e.g., water) is received within receptacle 120. Pump 190 isconfigured to pump liquid out of receptacle 120 to evaporative medium130. The pump is operable to take liquid in from receptacle 120 throughan inlet and pump the liquid out of receptacle 120 through an outlet.

Pump 190 may be configured to be operated at one constant speed.However, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, pump 190may be operable at varying speeds. The operating speed of pump 190 maybe selected based on the mode of operation of climate control device100, based on environmental conditions surround climate control device100, and/or based on the evaporative medium within evaporative mediumport 130, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

In an exemplary embodiment, a conduit 192 is connected between theoutlet of pump 190 and evaporative medium port 130. Conduit 192 may beconnected to a top of evaporative medium port 130. In a climate controlmode, conduit 192 allows liquid exiting conduit 192 trickle down andcover evaporative medium received in port 130 under the force ofgravity. In a further embodiment, a conduit 194 is connected between theoutlet of pump 190 and an exterior of climate control device 100.Conduit 194 may share at least a portion with conduit 192. Conduit 194may be usable to purge liquid from receptacle 120. In a purge mode,conduit 194 allows liquid to be pumped out of receptacle 120.

In order to switch between conduits 192 and 194, one or more valves 196may be provided in conduit 192 and or conduit 194. Valve(s) 196 may beelectrically actuatable valves, and may be controlled by controller 170,as set forth in greater detail below.

Controller 170 is electrically coupled with liquid level sensor 140 andpump 190. In one example, controller 170 provides a signal to ultrasonicemitter 150 to emit the ultrasonic wave toward the surface of theliquid. Likewise, controller 170 receives a signal from ultrasonicreceiver 160 signaling receipt of the ultrasonic wave reflected off ofthe surface of the liquid. Controller 170 may be configured to providean indication of the liquid level in receptacle 120 based on theultrasonic wave received by ultrasonic receiver 160. In another example,controller 170 provides signals to pump 190 to operate pump 190 to pumpliquid out of receptacle 120. Controller 170 may also change a speed ofthe motor of pump 190 in order to vary a flow rate of liquid pumped bypump 190. Particular operations of controller 170 are described ingreater detail below.

Climate control device 100 may further include a display 180, as shownin FIG. 5. Display 180 is electrically coupled with controller 170.Controller 170 may provide a liquid level indication to a user ofclimate control device 100 using display 180. Display 180 may furtherinclude indications to the user of a current status of climate controldevice 100 (e.g., an on/off/standby status indicator), a current settingof climate control device (e.g., a current temperature or humidity orsetpoint temperature or humidity), a current operating status (on oroff) or speed of pump 190, and/or a current mode of climate controldevice 100 (e.g., a fan speed indicator, a silent mode indicator, areceptacle purge mode indicator). Still further, display 180 may providean indication of the current efficiency of evaporative medium 130, ascalculated by controller 170 and described in greater detail herein.

Climate control device 100 may further include a memory electricallycoupled with controller 170 for storage of data relating to operation ofclimate control device 100. Climate control device 100 may be programmedto store data in the memory relating to the change in liquid levelsensed using liquid level sensor 140 over a period of time, as will bediscussed in greater detail below. Climate control device 100 may storein the memory predetermined relationships between operating speeds ofpump 190 and evaporation rates of the evaporative medium, as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

Climate control device 100 may further include a wireless transmitterelectrically coupled with controller 170 for transmitting data relatingto the operation of climate control device 100. Climate control device100 may be programmed to transmit data with the wireless transmitterrelating to the change in liquid level sensed using liquid level sensor140 over a period of time, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Operation of climate control device 100 will now be described. To begina climate control operation, the fan of climate control device 100 isturned on, either by a user signal or automatically. The fan generatesair flow into housing 110 via air inlet 112, through an evaporativemedium in evaporative medium portion 130, and out through air outlet114. At or before this point, liquid is added to receptacle 120 by theuser. The presence of liquid in receptacle 120 may be determined usingliquid level sensor 140. During this operation, liquid contained withinreceptacle 120 is provided to the evaporative medium, either throughwicking from receptacle 120 or by being pumped out of receptacle 120. Inan exemplary embodiment, pump 190 pumps liquid out of receptacle 120through conduit 192 to the top of evaporative medium port 130, where theliquid trickles down over the evaporative medium. As air flows throughthe evaporative medium, the liquid on the evaporative medium evaporates,thereby humidifying and/or cooling the air. The speed of the fan may beadjusted (again, either by a user signal or automatically) to generate adesired flow of air and/or amount of cooling and/or humidifying.

During this operation, liquid level sensor 140 senses the level ofliquid in receptacle 120 during operation of climate control device 100.Sensor 140 may sense the liquid level continuously or periodically, forexample, once every 300 seconds (five minutes). An exemplary liquidlevel sensing operation is shown in FIG. 3. To sense the liquid level,an ultrasonic wave is emitted by ultrasonic emitter 150 toward theliquid in receptacle 120. The ultrasonic wave at least partiallyreflects off the surface of this liquid, and is subsequently received byultrasonic receiver 160. Ultrasonic receiver 160 sends a signal tocontroller 170, which determines the length of time between emission andreceipt of the ultrasonic wave. When receptacle 120 is full, the liquidlevel is a distance A (e.g., from 10.5 to 12.0 inches) from liquid levelsensor 140, and a first length of time elapses between transmission anddetection. When receptacle 120 is half full, the liquid level is adistance B (e.g., from 14.0 to 15.5 inches) from liquid level sensor140, and a second, longer length of time elapses between transmissionand detection. From the length of time that elapses between transmissionand detection of the ultrasonic wave, controller 170 is operable tocalculate the level of liquid in receptacle 120, using a fixedrelationship based on the speed of the ultrasonic wave. In an exemplaryliquid level sensor 140, the amount of time elapsed may be approximately29.4 ps per centimeter traveled.

Controller 170 determines a change in liquid level over a period ofoperation of climate control device 100. Controller 170 is configured tomonitor the change in liquid level by storing the elapsed time for eachliquid level measurement in its associated memory, and calculating howthis elapsed time changes with each measurement. A series ofmeasurements with increasing elapsed times indicate that the liquidlevel is lowering in receptacle 120, e.g., due to evaporation of theliquid from the evaporative medium. A measurement with a relative longelapsed time indicates that receptacle 120 is close to being empty. Whencontroller 170 determines that the level of liquid in receptacle 120falls below a predetermined level, controller 170 may be configured tostop operation of pump 190. Automatic deactivation of pump 190 usingcontroller 170 may be desirable in order to avoid potential damage to orunnecessary operation of pump 190 caused, for example, by operation inan empty receptacle 120. A measurement with a significantly lowerelapsed time than previous measurements indicates that receptacle 120has been refilled with liquid, at which point controller 170 may beconfigured to resume operation of pump 190.

From the determination of changes in liquid level, controller 170 mayfurther be configured to calculate an efficiency of the evaporativemedium. An exemplary method for calculating efficiency is providedbelow. Prior to calculating efficiency, controller 170 establishes abaseline value for changes in the level of liquid in receptacle 120. Thebaseline value may represent the expected change in liquid level whenthe evaporative medium is operating at a desired or acceptableefficiency. The baseline value may be established by controller 170 whenreceptacle 120 is half full, in order to avoid possible effects onbaseline calculations for high or low liquid levels. In one example,when receptacle 120 reaches a half full level, controller 170 beginsrecording a liquid level measurement every 300 seconds (five minutes)for a duration of 1800 seconds (one half hour), resulting in sevendiscrete liquid level measurements. The difference between the last andfirst measurements in this duration may be used as a baseline valueindicating total water used by climate control device 100 over a halfhour period of normal operation. Such a baseline value may be, forexample, from 3.0 cm/hour to 5.0 cm/hour. Controller 170 may beconfigured to store the baseline value for an evaporative medium in theassociated memory.

Controller 170 may be configured to calculate or recalculate thebaseline value whenever a new evaporative medium is received inevaporative medium port 130. Controller 170 may identify that a newevaporative medium has been received in evaporative medium port 130, andthen establish a new baseline value for changes in liquid level for thenewly received evaporative medium. Controller 170 may be configured toidentify that a new evaporative medium has been installed based onchanges in liquid level. For example, if controller 170 determines achange in liquid level that is greater than previous measurements by apredetermined amount (e.g., a 10% increase in the change in liquid levelfrom immediately preceding measurements), controller 170 may determinethat a new evaporative medium has been received in evaporative mediumport 130.

Controller 170 may be configured to calculate or recalculate thebaseline value whenever the speed setting of the fan in climate controldevice 100 changes, as such a speed setting may affect the rate ofevaporation of liquid from the evaporative medium. The baseline for eachspeed setting of climate control device 100 may be established in thesame manner set forth above.

If the above conditions for establishing a baseline are not satisfiedafter a predetermined period of time (e.g., fourteen days), apredetermined baseline value may be used to calculate efficiency. Forexample, if the liquid level in receptacle 120 never reaches the halffull level due to constant refilling or limited use, controller 170 mayutilize a baseline value stored on the associated memory for calculatingefficiency.

After the baseline value for changes in liquid level is established,later changes in liquid level determined by controller 170 may becompared to the baseline value. The efficiency of the currentevaporative medium may be calculated based on the difference betweencurrent changes in liquid level and the baseline changes in liquidlevel. For one example, controller 170 may divide the newest change inliquid level by the baseline value to calculate a percentage of apresently determined change in liquid level relative to the baselinechange. In an example where controller 170 has previously established abaseline value of 4 cm/hour, and determines that the most recent changein liquid level is 2.5 cm/hour, controller 170 may then calculate thatthe evaporative medium is operating at 2.5/4.0=62.5% efficiency.Controller 170 may then be configured to store the efficiency for theevaporative medium in the associated memory. A history of efficiencymeasurements may be stored, or only the most recent efficient memory maybe stored.

In addition to calculating the efficiency of the evaporative medium,controller 170 may be configured to vary the operating speed of pump190. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 170 is configured todetermine an evaporation rate of the evaporative medium, and operatepump 190 to pump the liquid in receptacle 120 through conduit 192 toevaporative medium port 130 at varying liquid flow rates dependent onthe evaporation rate of the evaporative medium.

As used herein, the term “evaporation rate” is not intended to refersolely to the rate at which water evaporates from an evaporative medium(the “actual” evaporation rate), but is also intended to encompassfactors that affect the actual evaporation rate. It will be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that the actual evaporation rate ofthe evaporative medium may be dependent on a number of factors, any ofwhich can be utilized by controller 170 as an evaporation rate to varythe liquid flow rate generated by pump 190. For one example, climatecontrol device 100 may include a temperature and/or a relative humiditysensor 172 in communication with controller 170. A temperature sensor172 would be configured to sense a temperature in an environmentsurrounding the climate control device, which will affect theevaporation rate of the evaporative medium. Controller 170 will thenvary the liquid flow rate of pump 190 based on the sensed temperature. Ahumidity sensor 172 would be configured to sense a relative humidity inan environment surrounding the climate control device, which will affectthe evaporation rate of the evaporative medium. Controller 170 will thenvary the liquid flow rate of pump 190 based on the sensed relativehumidity. For another example, controller 170 may calculate theefficiency of the evaporative medium in the manner set forth above.Controller 170 will then vary the liquid flow rate of pump 190 based onthe calculated efficiency. Suitable temperature and humidity sensors foruse in climate control device 100 will be known to one of ordinary skillin the art from the description herein.

It will be understood from the description herein that controller 170may rely on any one or more of the above factors as representative ofthe evaporation rate of the evaporative medium. Controller 170 mayfurther utilize the memory to store relationships between sensedtemperature, sensed humidity, and/or efficiency and pump speed.Controller 170 may utilize a look-up table to select an operating speedfor pump 190 based on any one or more of the sensed temperature, sensedhumidity, and/or efficiency. For example, when the evaporation rate ofthe evaporative medium is low, controller 170 may operate pump 190 topump a relatively low amount of water to the evaporative medium, toavoid overwetting or water entrainment in the air flow through theevaporative medium. For another example, when the evaporation rate ofthe evaporative medium is high, controller 170 may operate pump 190 topump a relatively high amount of water to the evaporative medium, toavoid drying out of the evaporative medium or underperformance ofclimate control device 100.

As set forth above, pump 190 may be connected to multiple conduits 192and 194. In this embodiment, controller 170 may further be configured toswitch pump 190 between different modes of operation to utilize eachconduit. In a climate control operation, controller 190 may beconfigured to operate pump 190 to pump liquid through conduit 192 toenable evaporation of liquid from the evaporative medium in evaporativemedium port 130. In a purge operation, controller 190 may be configuredto operate pump 190 to pump liquid through conduit 194 to drain liquidfrom receptacle 120. In a further embodiment, controller 170 may beconfigured to switch between these modes by actuating valve(s) 196. Inthe climate control operation, controller 170 is configured to togglevalve 196 to open conduit 192, and thereby prevent liquid fromtravelling through conduit 194. Conversely, in a purge operation,controller 170 is configured toggle valve 196 to open conduit 194, andthereby prevent liquid from travelling through conduit 192.

Controller 170 can further provide an indication of evaporative mediumefficiency to the user of climate control device 100. Controller 170 mayprovide this indication continuously, and/or only when the efficiency ofthe evaporative medium falls below a predetermined value, for example,60.0%. The indication may be a visual indication, an audible indication,and/or may be a wireless device message, such as a Short Message Service(SMS) or electronic mail indication.

In one exemplary embodiment, the evaporative medium efficiencyindication may be provided on display 180, as set forth above. Inanother exemplary embodiment, controller 170 is configured to transmitthe evaporative medium efficiency indication to a wireless device of auser, using a wireless transmitter electrically coupled with controller170. The wireless transceiver may be operable to send informationwirelessly to the user via the internet, near field communication (NFC),Bluetooth, or other conventional wireless communications protocols. Whenthe efficiency is below a predetermined value, controller 170 mayfurther be configured to transmit an evaporative medium replacementoffer to the wireless device of the user. The offer may further include,for example, an internet link to a webpage at which the user canpurchase a replacement evaporative medium for climate control device100.

Controller 170 is not limited to transmitting efficiency information toa user's wireless device, but may also transmit additional informationrelating to operation of climate control device 100. For example,controller 170 may transmit information to the user regarding a currentoperating mode of climate control device 100, or a current fan speed forthe fan of climate control device 100. Controller 170 may also transmitinformation to the user regarding any data sensed by sensors of climatecontrol device 100, including liquid level in receptacle 120, and/orcurrent temperature or humidity. When liquid level falls below apredetermined value (e.g., 20% of full), controller 170 may further beconfigured to transmit a low liquid level indication to the wirelessdevice of the user. When humidity falls below a predetermined value(e.g., 35%), controller 170 may further be configured to transmit a lowhumidity indication to the wireless device of the user. Other items ofinformation to be transmitted by controller 170 will be understood fromthe description herein.

Controller 170 may further be configured to receive information orinputs from the user's wireless device via the wireless transceiver. Forexample, controller 170 may be configured to receive an on/off signal toclimate control device 100. For another example, controller 170 may beconfigured to receive signals adjusting a fan speed or humidity setpoint for operation of climate control device 100. Other types of inputto be received by controller 170 via the wireless transceiver will beunderstood from the description herein.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a climate control method 200 inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention. Climate controlmethod 200 may be performed, for example, by an evaporative cooler or ahumidifier. Generally, climate control method 200 includes determining achange in liquid level, calculating an efficiency, and providing anefficiency indication. Additional details of climate control method 200will be described herein with reference to the components of climatecontrol device 100.

In step 210, a change in a level of liquid in a receptacle of a climatecontrol device is determined. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 170determines a change in the level of liquid in receptacle 120, forexample, due to evaporation of the liquid from the evaporative medium.The change may be determined by emitting an ultrasonic wave toward asurface of the liquid in receptacle 120 using ultrasonic emitter 150,and receiving at least a portion of the ultrasonic wave after theultrasonic wave reflects off the surface of the liquid in receptacle 120using ultrasonic receiver 160.

In step 220, an efficiency of the evaporative medium is calculated basedon the change in the liquid level. In an exemplary embodiment,controller 170 calculates the efficiency of the evaporative medium basedon the changes in liquid level sensed using liquid level sensor 140.Controller 170 may calculate this efficiency by establishing a baselinevalue for changes in the level of liquid in receptacle 120, andcomparing the change in level of liquid to the baseline value.Controller 170 may establish this baseline value whenever controller 170identifies that a new evaporative medium has been received inevaporative medium port 130 of climate control device 100. Controller170 may further store the established baseline in an associated memory.

In step 230, an evaporative medium efficiency indication is provided. Inan exemplary embodiment, controller 170 provides an evaporative mediumefficiency indication when the efficiency of the evaporative mediumfalls below a predetermined value, for example, 60.0%. Controller 170may transmit the evaporative medium efficiency indication to a wirelessdevice of a user. Controller 170 may further transmit an evaporativemedium replacement offer to the wireless device of the user, as well asa liquid level indication to the wireless device of the user

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a climate control method 300 inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention. Like method 200,climate control method 300 may be performed, for example, by anevaporative cooler or a humidifier. Generally, climate control method300 includes determining an evaporation rate, and operating a pump.Additional details of climate control method 300 will be describedherein with reference to the components of climate control device 100.

In step 310, an evaporation rate of an evaporative medium in anevaporative medium port of a climate control device is determined. In anexemplary embodiment, controller 170 determines an evaporation rate ofthe evaporative medium in port 130. Where climate control device 100includes a temperature sensor, this step may include sensing atemperature in an environment surrounding the climate control device.Where climate control device 100 includes a relative humidity sensor,this step may include sensing a relative humidity in an environmentsurrounding the climate control device. This step may also includecalculating an efficiency of the evaporative medium, as described abovewith respect to method 200.

In step 320, a pump is operated to pump liquid to the evaporativemedium. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 170 operates pump 190 topump liquid in receptacle 120 to the evaporative medium at varying flowrates dependent on the evaporation rate of the evaporative medium. Forexample, when the evaporation rate of the evaporative medium is low,controller 170 may operate pump 190 to pump a relatively low amount ofwater to the evaporative medium, to avoid overwetting or waterentrainment in the air flow through the evaporative medium. For anotherexample, when the evaporation rate of the evaporative medium is high,controller 170 may operate pump 190 to pump a relatively high amount ofwater to the evaporative medium, to avoid drying out of the evaporativemedium or underperformance of climate control device 100.

Method 300 is not limited to the above steps, but may includealternative or additional steps as would be understood from thedescription herein.

Climate control device 100 may include a liquid level sensor 140. Inthis embodiment, method 300 may include the steps of sensing a level ofliquid in receptacle 120 with liquid level sensor 140, and stoppingoperation of pump 190 when the level of liquid in the receptacle fallsbelow a predetermined level

Climate control device 100 may also include a conduit 194 for performinga purge operation. In this embodiment, method 300 may include the stepof operating pump 190 to pump liquid in receptacle 120 outside ofclimate control device 100, through conduit 194 to beyond an exteriorsurface of climate control device 100.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be understood that such embodiments areprovided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes andsubstitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that theappended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A climate control device comprising: a housingdefining a receptacle for receiving liquid; an evaporative medium portsized to receive an evaporative medium; a pump positioned at leastpartially within the receptacle; a first conduit connected between anoutlet of the pump and the evaporative medium port; and a controllerelectrically coupled with the pump, the controller configured to:determine an evaporation rate of the evaporative medium received by theevaporative medium port; and operate the pump to pump the liquid in thereceptacle through the first conduit to the evaporative medium port atvarying liquid flow rates dependent on the evaporation rate of theevaporative medium.
 2. The climate control device of claim 1, furthercomprising a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature in anenvironment surrounding the climate control device, wherein thecontroller varies the liquid flow rate based on the sensed temperature.3. The climate control device of claim 1, further comprising a humiditysensor configured to sense a relative humidity in an environmentsurrounding the climate control device, wherein the controller variesthe liquid flow rate based on the sensed relative humidity.
 4. Theclimate control device of claim 1, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: calculate an efficiency of the evaporative medium; andwherein the controller varies the liquid flow rate based on theefficiency of the evaporative medium.
 5. The climate control device ofclaim 1, further comprising a liquid level sensor configured to sense alevel of liquid in the receptacle, wherein the controller is configuredto stop operation of the pump when the level of liquid in the receptaclefalls below a predetermined level.
 6. The climate control device ofclaim 1, further comprising a second conduit connected between an outletof the pump and an exterior of the climate control device, wherein thecontroller is further configured to: operate the pump to pump the liquidin the receptacle through the first conduit to the evaporative mediumport during a climate control operation of the climate control device;and operate the pump to pump the liquid in the receptacle through thesecond conduit to the exterior of the climate control device during apurge operation of the climate control device.
 7. The climate controldevice of claim 6, further comprising a first valve provided in thefirst conduit, and a second valve provided in the second conduit,wherein the controller is further configured to close the second valveduring the climate control operation and to close the first valve duringthe purge operation.
 8. The climate control device of claim 1, whereinthe climate control device is an evaporative cooler.
 9. The climatecontrol device of claim 1, wherein the climate control device is ahumidifier.
 10. A climate control method comprising: determining anevaporation rate of an evaporative medium in an evaporative medium portof a climate control device having a receptacle contained within theclimate control device; and operating a pump to pump liquid in thereceptacle of the climate control device to the evaporative medium atvarying liquid flow rates dependent on the evaporation rate of theevaporative medium.
 11. The climate control method of claim 10, whereinthe determining comprises: sensing a temperature in an environmentsurrounding the climate control device.
 12. The climate control methodof claim 10, wherein the determining comprises: sensing a relativehumidity in an environment surrounding the climate control device. 13.The climate control method of claim 10, wherein the determiningcomprises: calculating an efficiency of the evaporative medium.
 14. Theclimate control method of claim 10, further comprising: sensing a levelof liquid in the receptacle; and stopping operation of the pump when thelevel of liquid in the receptacle falls below a predetermined level. 15.The climate control method of claim 10, further comprising: operatingthe pump to pump liquid in the receptacle to beyond an exterior surfaceof the climate control device during a purge operation of the climatecontrol device.